UAB junior forward Rod Rucker and Rice guard Max Guercy were selected the C-USA Player and Freshman of the Week, respectively, by a media panel representing the 12 member schools. Rucker helped the Blazers improve their win streak to four games in conference play, averaging 23.5 ppg with a career-high 26-point performance at Tulane. He also registered his 10th double-double of the season in a victory over SMU. Guercy earned his season-best fifth Freshman of the Week honor as he averaged 13.5 points and led the team in assists in a pair of tough conference games against SMU and UTEP.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
ROD RUCKER, UAB Junior, F, Elberton, Ga.
Rucker averaged 23.5 points for the week to lead UAB to a pair of league victories and extend its winning streak to four straight contests. He poured in a career-high 26 points in a road victory at Tulane, including 18 in the first half. Rucker finished the game 13-of-17 from the floor and added six boards. The junior forward followed that outing up with his 10th double-double of the season in Saturday's win vs. SMU. He netted 21 points, grabbed 11 boards, and added a pair of game-clinching free throws in the game's final 10 seconds for the win. Rucker's point totals were game-highs in each contest and he shot 60.6 percent from the floor for the week. This is his first career C-USA Player of the Week honor.

FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
MAX GUERCY, RICE Freshman, G, Arleta, Calif.
Guercy averaged 13.5 points and led Rice in assists in both games on the week. After battling foul trouble and playing just eight minutes in the first half at SMU, he scored 13 of his 16 points after halftime. Guercy also grabbed four of the team's 11 steals in the game. He followed up his strong outing with another against UTEP, as his six rebounds, three assists and two steals in the home game were team highs. He sank 50 percent of his 3-point attempts and 8-of-9 free throws on the week in addition to 13.5 points, 3.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game. This is his league-best fifth C-USA Freshman of the Week award of the season and second consecutive honor.